By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

25th Nov, 2023 | 8:00am

Sources: Celtic accelerate move for priority January signing

Celtic are stepping up plans to sign a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

The club’s recruitment team are scouring the market for a senior keeper who can provide cover and competition for number one Joe Hart.

It is believed that signing a new shot-stopper is the priority for Celtic ahead of the upcoming winter window.

However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Hoops will hold back until the end of the 2023-24 campaign if they cannot negotiate the right deal.

Hart has missed just one game for Celtic so far this season following his dismissal against Livingston in September.

The ex-England international has managed 17 appearances across all competitions this term, conceding 19 goals and keeping seven clean sheets.

He has been the undisputed number one at Parkhead since his arrival on a free transfer at the start of Ange Posteoclgou’s tenure in 2021.

The 36-year-old has kept his place in the lineup following Brendan Rodgers’ appointment – but the Northern Irishman is keen to add more competition in the next transfer window.

Hart is only currently under contract with Celtic until the end of the season.

He made 50 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign as Celtic won a domestic treble and was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for his efforts.

Also on the books at Celtic are goalkeepers Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist, both 31.

Bain was chosen to step into the fold following Hart’s sending-off earlier this season.

Celtic sit top of the Scottish Premiership by eight points having played a game more than rivals Rangers.

The Hoops face a double header against Motherwell (25 November) and Lazio (28 November) in the next week.

In other news, star man to stay at Celtic after big development.